The TIES THAT BIND participants (see full list below) started to develop their projects under the guidance of leading industry experts during the first workshop in Udine, Italy (April 28 – May 2, 2015) within the framework of the Udine Far East Film Festival (April 23 - May 2, 2015). During the second workshop the participants will continue to develop and package their projects under the guidance of the TTB pedagogical team including TTB Head of Studies Christophe Bruncher (Ici et Là Productions, FR), Clare Downs (Script Consultant, UK), Shanty Harmayn-Hofman (Salto Films, Indonesia), Elise Jalladeau (Charivari Films, FR). Special focus during this session will be put on examining distribution networks across both Europe and Asia. Jean-Baptiste Babin (Backup Media Group, FR) and Samuel Y. Ha(Union Investment Partners, KR), will work with the participants on their financing plans and strategies and present the financing landscape in Europe and Asia.

Furthermore, they will be able to participate at the SAFF Conference, a one-day event bridging the gap between investors and producers, educating audiences on the creative and business sides of film financing. Top speakers from Asia and Europe will address the main topics around coproduction and financing between Europe and Asia. Find below the list of speakers and topics.

TIES THAT BIND is organised by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Audiovisual Fund, EAVE, Udine Far East Film Festival and Southeast Asian Audio-Visual Association (SAAVA). TIES THAT BIND is supported by the Creative Europe - MEDIA sub-programme of the European Union, and ScreenSingapore.

Speakers and topics at the SAFF conference:

Crossing Continents: Guide to Structuring a Successful East-West Co-Production: The different funding mechanisms, cultural sensibilities, and work processes between East and West can be double-edged swords. They can create a minefield of difficulties for the aspiring filmmaker, or provide a host of opportunities for learning, exchange, and commercial rewards. Christophe Bruncher (EAVE TIES THAT BIND) and Chan Gin Kai (Southeast Asian Audio-Visual Association (SAAVA) & Silver Media Group) will provide valuable insights into their respective regions’ media ecosystem and how successful East-West co-productions can be structured.

Europe: An Insight into European Film Finance: Meinolf Zurhorst (ZDF/ARTE), Paolo Vidali & Alessandro Gropplero (Fondo Audiovisivo FVG, IT) and Thierry Jobin (Visions Sud Est, CH) will elaborate on how European producers have built an industry by navigating their co-productions through treaties and festivals to consolidate their financing.

Southeast Asia: Overview of Southeast Asian Film Financing: Cash is king in Southeast Asia’s film financing landscape as public money remains scarce in the region and private money continues to be poured into funding entertainment products in this part of the world. But progress is hampered by the lack of strong distribution entities and an overreliance on film festivals to travel beyond Asian shores. Sridhar Sreekakula (Barking Cow Media Group), Zainir Aminullah (Ideate Media), Jessel Monteverde (Abracadabra), Allen Jordan(Goshen Group), Kevin Balhetchet (Hub Media Group) and Dato’ Kamil Othman (National Film Development Corporation Malaysia - FINAS) will discuss on the trends and future of how and what films will be funded in future.

Marketing and Distribution in a Global Context: Patrick Frater (Variety) and Cheryl Boone Isaacs (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) will address the evolving landscape of marketing and distribution in independent films, and the many educational and outreach programs the Academy provides and produces.

The following producers and professionals were selected for TIES THAT BIND 2015:

EAVE network

Donate to the EAVE Alan Fountain International Scholarship Fund

A scholarship has been set up to honour the memory of Alan Fountain, former Head of Studies and President of EAVE, who passed away on March 3.
Its goal is to enable one producer from outside the EU to participate in all three sessions of the EAVE Producers Workshop each year.